The Automation Café

A reflection on my last trip with Axios.

Last fall I had the privilege of attending a tech conference—in this case, the React Summit. The React Summit is one of the largest and most anticipated conferences dedicated to the React ecosystem, bringing together developers, engineers, and tech enthusiasts from around the world. It’s a premier event where industry leaders share the latest advancements, best practices, and innovative techniques in React development. The summit features a series of talks, workshops, and networking opportunities, providing a platform for attendees to learn, collaborate, and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of front-end development.

When I touched down at Newark Airport on Sunday, November 12, little did I know that my Uber ride into Jersey City would turn into a saga of ties to Kris Jenner and frozen burrito fame. Francis, my Uber driver, spun tales that wove together work, AI, mental health, and the dating scene. I’m not sure if I was in Jersey City or the plot of a reality TV show, but it was an entertaining start to my React Summit adventure.

I decided to rest my weary head at the Hyatt House in Jersey City. With breathtaking views of the NYC skyline, the Hyatt did not disappoint. Conveniently located at Exchange Place, the city’s financial district, and a major transportation hub, it was the perfect base for my tech escapades.

Katyn Memorial: Exchange Place is home to the Katyń Memorial, a significant bronze statue created by Andrzej Pitynski. Unveiled in June 1991, the memorial commemorates the victims of Stalin’s Katyn massacre in 1940, paying tribute to Polish Army officers and citizens who lost their lives.

Day One of the Conference:

The main event unfolded on Monday the 13th at the Liberty Science Center—a tech haven for the curious. Talks on AI/ChatGPT, Server Components, and Design Systems echoed through the conference halls for a solid 8 hours. Some of the information sailed over my head, but the sheer fascination and inspiration kept me hooked. It was all inspiring and sharing this experience with my fellow Axions made it better(No seriously, ya’ll are coolest and I had such a blast 🚀.)

The day concluded with a delightful dinner at Lokal Eatery & Bar, conveniently located just a 10-minute stroll from my hotel. The evening treated us to delectable small appetizers paired with a refreshing glass of Savion Blanc, all enjoyed against the backdrop of breathtaking city views. It served as the ideal conclusion to my trip, providing a wonderful opportunity to gather everyone one last time before my journey back home the next day.

Isn’t NYC beautiful? I feel inspired every time I come here.🤩

♫ IN NEWWWW YORRRRKKK! THESE STREETS WILL MAKE YOU FEEL BRANDDD NEWWW. BIG LIGHTS WILL INSPIRE YOUUU. ♫

Ok, ok ok.. I’m aware that I’m no Alicia Keys. Let’s move on.

We cute, we cute. 💁🏻‍♀

Day Two (Virtual) 👩🏻‍💻:

A standout presentation was delivered by Brittany Joiner, the Head of Developer Relations at Pixie Brix with her talk: “Anyone Can Be an Open Source Maintainer.” A self-taught developer with a marketing background, Brittany shared her journey, breaking the myth that only senior developers can dive into open source projects.

As a fellow self-taught coder, Brittany’s imposter syndrome struggles hit home. While I’ve racked up a ton of Codecademy certifications during the pandemic (shameless plug: check out my profile here), I often downplay my skills. “I just write Cypress tests, hehe,” I’d say, not realizing I’m still a developer, even if I spend 30% of my time in automation-land.

Brittany’s tale of conquering fear by contributing to small bits of code during HackTober Fest struck a chord. Her journey from coding anxiety to confidence was a beacon for me. Instead of letting imposter syndrome dictate my narrative, Brittany’s talk urged me to dive into projects, embrace mistakes, and let knowledge evolve over time.

*Alexa, play “I Believe I Can Fly” by James Ingram and NOT R. Kelly.*

(Ahhh, yes. Very motivational. That reminds me, I need to buy season tickets for VCU🏀 🐏)

Motivation aside, Brittany’s insights boiled down to three key takeaways:

1. Just Try: Even if you think you can’t, take the plunge. Mistakes are stepping stones to improvement and confidence.
2. Embrace Connections: As an introvert, meeting new people can be daunting, but it’s worth it. There’s potential to learn something new or make a friend. Baby steps count, right?
3. Contribute Fearlessly: Whether it’s QA or tiny code snippets, contribute to projects. The more you do, the faster you’ll learn and grow.

As I reflect on my React Summit 2023 experience, I realize it was not just a tech conference; it was a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Now, armed with newfound motivation and Brittany’s wisdom, I’m ready to face the coding world with confidence, one line of code at a time.

Oh, and we got some swag! A nice mug, bag and stickers 😎.

Unfortunately, little did I know that this event would be the last time I’d see my team in person. As you may have heard, Axios recently made the tough decision to cut 10% of their staff, and I was among those affected. While the news hit me hard, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such a talented, compassionate, and badass group of people. Now, as I look forward to the next chapter in my career, I’m excited about the new journey and the opportunities that lie ahead. I can’t wait to bring my skills, experience, and passion to my next team and add value in meaningful ways.

If you made it to the end of this post, thank you! I know it was a bit lengthy, but I hope you found something valuable in it.

Until next time ✌

-Lexi